Intra-line fishing rod

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns an intra-line fishing rod which can both reduce the insertion resistance of a fishline and maintain a delicate flexible property. In the intra-line fishing rod with an inserted fishline, the inside diameter of the respective portions (a, b, c) of the top rod portion of the fishing rod is formed in a substantially straight shape having an inclination of {fraction (3/1000)} or less, and reinforcing fibers having different elastic moduli are used in the rod top portions and are sequentially arranged in such a manner not only that the reinforcing fibers extend substantially in the axial direction of the rod top portions but also that the elastic moduli become higher in a geometric series manner from the front portion (a) toward the rear portion (c).

This is a division of Application Ser. No. 08/524,283, filed Sep. 6,1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,992.

The present invention relates to an intra-line fishing rod which ischaracterized by a rod top portion.

Every fishing rod has its own flexible characteristic which can be setaccording to its fishing targets, for example, a fishing rod forsmall-size fish is formed such that it has a delicate flexiblecharacteristic.

However, in an intra-line fishing rod, since a fishline is insertedthrough the interior of the rod tube and also since the resistance ofthe fishline must be reduced, in the rod top portion of the fishing rod,the inside diameter of the rod tube cannot be reduced so much. If theinside diameter of the rod top portion is large, a delicate flexibilitycannot be provided and, for this reason, conventionally, it is difficultto manufacture an intra-line fishing rod having a delicate flexiblecharacteristic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to form a fishingrod having a delicate flexible characteristic into an intra-line fishingrod which can reduce the insertion resistance of a fishline whilemaintaining the delicate flexible characteristic thereof.

In attaining the above object, according to the invention, there isprovided an intra-line fishing rod using synthetic resin as a matrix andreinforced with reinforcing fibers, in which a rod top portion of thefishing rod is formed substantially in a straight shape with the insidediameter thereof having an inclination of {fraction (3/1000)} or less,reinforcing fibers respectively having different moduli of elasticityare sequentially disposed in the rod top portion in such a manner thatthe reinforcing fibers extend substantially in the axial direction ofthe rod top portion, and the elastic moduli increase sequentially in ageometric series manner from the front portion of the rod top portiontoward the rear portion thereof.

In the fishing rod, since the inside diameter of the rod top portion isformed substantially straight, the inside diameter of the front portionof the rod top portion can be set large and thus there can be provided ahollow portion through which a fishline can pass freely, thereby beingable to provide a fishline insertable structure which can reduce theresistance of the fishline. However, in this structure, as it is, theflexural rigidity of the front portion of the rod top portion is highand is thus difficult to flex. Therefore, by selecting the reinforcingfibers in such a manner that the elastic moduli of the substantiallyaxially extending reinforcing fibers, which contribute to the flexuralrigidity, increase sequentially in a geometric series manner from thefront portion to the rear portion (that is, the front portion is easy toflex), even if the front portion of the rod top portion is relativelylarge in diameter, similarly when the front portion of the rod topportion is tapered, the front portion of the rod top portion can beflexed easily and delicately.

Here, the term “sequence” used in this specification relates toreinforcing fibers which are used as main reinforcing fibers except forreinforcing fibers such as auxiliary prepregs used for partialreinforcement in the guide fixation and the like.

Also, according to the invention, there is provided an intra-linefishing rod in which a layer of reinforcing fibers extendingsubstantially in the circumferential direction of the rod top portion isprovided as an inner layer, an outer layer or an intermediate layer ofthe reinforcing fibers extending substantially in the axial direction ofthe rod top portion.

In the structure of the fishing rod, when two or more kinds of theabove-mentioned substantially axially extending reinforcing fibers aresequentially disposed, it is true that the connecting portions thereofare weak, but, if there is provided a layer of reinforcing fibersextending substantially in the peripheral direction of the rod topportion, then the connecting portions can be reinforced withoutinterfering the delicate flexure thereof and can be prevented againstcrushing rupture.

Further, according to the invention, there is provided an intra-linefishing rod including a rod top portion which has a matrix formed ofsynthetic resin and is reinforced not only with reinforcing fibersextending substantially in the axial direction of the top rod portionwithin the range of angles of ±30° with respect to the axial directionof the rod top portion but also reinforcing fibers extendingsubstantially in the peripheral direction of the rod top portion withinthe range of angles of ±45° with respect to the circumferentialdirection of the rod top portion, in which the inside diameter of therod top portion is formed in a substantially straight shape or in agently tapered shape, and the ratio of the reinforcing fibers extendingin said substantially peripheral direction in the front portion of therod top portion is 50% or greater while the ratio of the reinforcingfibers in the rear portion of the rod top portion is smaller.

According to the fishing rod, since the inside diameter of the rod topportion is formed substantially straight or in a gentle taper, theinside diameter of the front portion of the rod top portion can be setlarge and thus there can be provided a hollow portion through which afishline can pass freely, thereby being able to provide a fishlineinsertable structure which can reduce the resistance of the fishline.However, in this structure, as it is, the flexural rigidity of the frontportion of the rod top portion is high and is thus difficult to flex. Inview of this, in the front portion of the rod top portion, the ratio ofthe reinforcing fibers extending substantially in the peripheraldirection of the rod top portion is set for 50% or more while the ratioof the reinforcing fibers extending in the longitudinal direction is setsmaller; and, on the other hand, in the rear portion of the rod topportion, the ratio of the reinforcing fibers extending substantially inthe peripheral direction is set small while the ratio of thelongitudinally extending reinforcing fibers is set large. Since thecharacteristic of flexure depends on the longitudinally extendingreinforcing fibers, the smaller the ratio of the longitudinallyextending reinforcing fibers is, the lower the rigidity is; that is,there can be provided a fishing rod which is easy to flex. Therefore,even if the rod top portion is large in diameter, the flexing propertythereof can be made delicate similarly to a tapered rod top portion. Inthis specification, the term “gentle taper” is used to express a taperin the range of {fraction (3/1000)} to {fraction (6/1000)}.

According to the invention, there is provided an intra-line fishing rodincluding a matrix formed of synthetic resin, reinforced withreinforcing fibers, and including a main body layer of a rod top portionhaving reinforcing fibers extending substantially in the axial directionof the rod top portion, in which the amount of the reinforcing fibersextending substantially in the axial direction in the front portion ofthe rod top portion is set smaller while the amount of the reinforcingfibers in the rear portion of the rod top portion is set greater, theratio of the synthetic resin in the front portion of the rod top portionis set greater while the ratio of the synthetic resin in the rearportion of the rod top portion is set smaller, and the inside diameterof the rod top portion is formed in a substantially straight shape or ina gently tapered shape.

Since the inside diameter of the rod top portion is formed substantiallystraight or in a gentle taper, the inside diameter of the front portionof the rod top portion can be set large and thus there can be provided ahollow portion through which a fishline can pass freely, thereby beingable to provide a fishline insertable structure which can reduce theinsertion resistance of the fishline. However, in this structure, as itis, the flexural rigidity of the front portion of the rod top portion ishigh and is thus difficult to flex. In view of this, in the frontportion of the rod top portion, the reinforcing fibers extendingsubstantially in the axial direction thereof are small in quantity,whereas the reinforcing fibers extending substantially in the axialdirection are large in quantity. Also, in order to reinforce the rodtube against crushing rupture, a larger ratio of synthetic resin is usedin the front portion of the rod top portion while a smaller ratio ofsynthetic resin is used in the rear portion of the rod top portion tothereby keep the strength of the rod tube. Since the flexural propertydepends on the reinforcing fibers extending substantially in the axialdirection, according to the present structure, there can be provided afishing rod which is easier to flex in the front portion of the rod topportion, and the flexural property of the present top rod portion can bemade as delicate as a tapered rod top portion.

According to the invention, there is provided an intra-line fishing rodincluding a rod top portion, the rod top portion being structured suchthat synthetic resin is used as a matrix, reinforcing fibers aredisposed such that they extend in an inclined direction with the anglesof inclination in the range of 5 degrees to 25 degrees with respect tothe axial direction of the rod top portion, the reinforcing fiberscrossing each other from both right and left directions substantiallysymmetrically with respect to the axial direction, and the crossingreinforcing fibers occupy almost all of the reinforcing fibers that areused in the rod top portion.

Since the crossing reinforcing fibers are disposed substantiallysymmetrically, the rod top portion can be prevented from being twisted.And, the axially extending components of the obliquely extendingreinforcing fibers contribute to the axial direction, the flexuralrigidity in flexing can be controlled down to a low level to thereby beable to provide a large inside diameter accordingly. Also, since thereinforcing fibers extend obliquely, they also have a component whichcontributes to the peripheral direction, thereby being able to preventthe rod top portion against crushing rupture. The peripheral directioncontributing components of the reinforcing fibers cooperate with theaxial direction contributing components thereof can prevent the rod topportion from being plastically deformed when it is flexed greatly.

According to the invention, there is provided an intra-line fishing rodincluding a rod top portion, the rod top portion being structured suchthat synthetic resin is used as a matrix, reinforcing fibers aredisposed such that they extend in an inclined direction with the anglesof inclination of 5 degrees or greater with respect to the axialdirection of the rod top portion and also such that they cross eachother from both right and left directions substantially symmetricallywith respect to said axial direction, and a smaller amount ofreinforcing fibers than the amount of the crossing reinforcing fibersare disposed so as to extend substantially in the axial direction, orreinforcing fibers having a lower elastic modulus than the crossingreinforcing fibers are disposed so as to extend substantially in saidaxial direction.

According to the fishing rod, the symmetric arrangement of thereinforcing fibers disposed crossingly from both directions prevents therod top portion from being twisted. Since a smaller quantity ofreinforcing fibers or reinforcing fibers having a low elastic modulusare used in the axial direction, the flexural rigidity of the top rodportion in flexing can be controlled down to a low level, which makes itpossible to increase the inside diameter of the rod top portionaccordingly. The existence of the reinforcing fibers crossing obliquelyprovides a component which contributes to the peripheral direction ofthe rod top portion, thereby being able to protect the rod top portionagainst crushing rupture. This cooperates with the existence of theaxially extending reinforcing fibers to prevent the rod top portion frombeing deformed plastically when it is flexed greatly.

Also, according to the invention, there is provided an intra-linefishing rod including a rod top portion, the rod top portion beingstructured such that synthetic resin is used as a matrix, andreinforcing fibers are disposed so as to extend substantially in theaxial direction of the rod top portion in such a manner that those ofthe reinforcing fibers having a large rupture elongation are disposed onthe outer side of said rod top portion while those of the reinforcingfibers having a small rupture elongation are disposed on the inner sidethereof.

According to the structure, it is generally known that a reinforcingfiber having a large breakage elongation is highly elastic while areinforcing fiber having a small breakage elongation is low inelasticity. In view of this, in the present structure, since reinforcingfibers having a large breakage elongation are disposed on the outer sideof the rod top portion while reinforcing fibers having a small breakageelongation are disposed on the inner side thereof, the rod top portionis easy to flex (the inside diameter of the rod top portion can beincreased) but is difficult to be plastically deformed.

Further, according to the invention, there is provided an intra-linefishing rod including a rod top portion, the rod top portion structuredsuch that, there is provided a spirally shaped member through which afishline can be inserted, and a cylindrical member is provided so as tocover the outer side of the spirally shaped member, the cylindricalmember being formed of material having a lower elastic modulus than thespirally shaped member. The term “spirally shaped member” used hereincludes a member which is produced by connecting a plurality of ringmembers with a longitudinally extending member.

Since the spirally shaped member is very small in flexural rigidity andthe cylindrical member covering the spirally shaped member is alsoformed of a material having a low elastic modulus, the rod top portioncan be enhanced in flexibility and thus the inside diameter of the rodtop portion can be increased accordingly. Also, the presence of thespirally shaped member provides a high strength against crushingrupture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of an intra-line fishing rodaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section view of a top rod shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the top rod shown in FIG. 2,illustrating a method of manufacturing the same.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section view of another embodiment of a fishingrod according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of another embodiment of a fishingrod according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view of another embodiment of a fishingrod according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged plan view of another embodiment of afishing rod according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially perspective side view of another embodiment of afishing rod according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a partially perspective side view of another embodiment of afishing rod according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially longitudinal section view of another embodimentof a fishing rod according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, description will be given below in more detail of the presentinvention in compliance with the embodiments thereof respectively shownin the accompanying drawings.

At first, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an intra-line fishing rodaccording to the invention. In FIG. 1, a base rod 10 is fixed to thefront portion of a casting handle 16, and a top rod 12 is jointed to thebase rod 10 in a swing-out (telescopic) joint manner or in an ordinaryjoint manner. The top rod 12 includes a top guide 14 at the leading endthereof, the casting handle 16 includes a mounting device 20 formounting a reel 18, and the base rod 10 includes a fishline introductionguide 24. A fishline 22 is introduced from the reel 18 into the interiorof the fishing rod through the fishline introduction guide 24.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the top rod 12,showing a state thereof in which the structure of the invention isapplied. Here, it should be noted that the present invention is notlimited to a joint-type fishing rod of this kind but a single rod canalso be employed in the invention. That is, the term “rod top portion”used in the invention does not always coincide with a rod tube generallyreferred to as a top rod, but it means the substantial rod top portionof a fishing rod. Therefore, the rod top portion can include No. 1, No.2 and No. 3 rods from the front-most portion of a fishing rod, or caninclude only the front portion of No. 1 rod. Now, the top rod 12, whichis manufactured according to a method shown in FIG. 3, is composed offour areas, that is, a front portion a, a middle front portion b, amiddle portion c, and a base portion d.

Firstly, description will be given below of the above manufacturingmethod with reference to FIG. 3. A metal core 30 includes asubstantially straight portion (corresponding to a rod top portion) 30Fwhich is situated in the front half section of the metal core 30 and istapered very gently, and a portion 30R which is situated in the rearhalf section and is tapered slightly greatly. It is preferable that thefront portion 30F has a taper of {fraction (3/1000)} or less which canbe regarded as substantially straight. If the front portion 30F isformed in this manner, then the inside diameter of the rod top portionof a molded rod tube can be formed substantially straight. This makes itpossible to increase the inside diameter of the front portion of the rodtop portion, so that there can be provided a hollow portion throughwhich a fishline can be passed freely. That is, it is possible toprovide a fishline insertable structure which can reduce the insertionresistance of the fishline. Now, a reinforcing prepreg I, which isformed in a tape shape or in a sheet shape, is wound around the metalcore 30. The reinforcing prepreg I may be mainly formed of fibersextending substantially in the circumferential direction of the rod topportion, or may be formed by combining ceramics fibers extendingsubstantially in the axial direction of the rod top portion with a scrimsheet. In the latter case, the ceramics fibers not only can reduce theresistance of the fishline passing through the molded rod tube but alsocan prevent the inner surface of the rod tube against wear. However, thereinforcing layer or prepreg I is not shown in FIG. 2.

Next, a front portion prepreg A, the rear end portion of which is formedinclined, is wound around the reinforcing prepreg I, a middle frontportion prepreg B with two end portions thereof formed inclined is woundaround the prepreg A, a middle portion prepreg C with the two endportions thereof formed inclined is wound around the prepreg B, andfinally a tapered base prepreg D with the front end portion thereofformed inclined is wound around the prepreg C. After then, the rod topportion 12 can be formed according to a conventionally known method.Referring here to a relation between the lengths of these prepregs, asshown in FIG. 3, A<B<C<D. If the rod top portion 12 is formed by windingthe prepregs in the above-mentioned sequence, then the prepregs situatedin the rear portion are higher in elasticity than the prepregs in thefront portion. Not only due to this, but also since the rear portion iswound on the outer side of the front portion, preferably, it is easy tomake a difference in rigidity between the front and rear portions, andthe front portion is easy to flex, thereby making it possible toincrease the inside diameter of the front portion. However, this is notlimitative but, alternatively, the reinforcing prepreg I may be woundlast to thereby reinforce the rod tube from the outer side thereof, orthe prepregs A, B, C and D may be wound in the reversed order. Aroundthe front portion 30F corresponding to the rod top portion, there arewound the prepreg A, prepreg B and the front half section of the prepregC. In addition, the reinforcing prepreg I may be interposed betweenadjacent prepregs, for instance, between the prepreg B and the prepregC.

The reinforcing fibers that are used in the respective prepregs A, B, Cand D are different in the elastic modulus from one another, and thefibers are selected in such a manner that the respective elastic modulithereof become higher sequentially in a geometric series manner from thefront portion a toward the base portion d. For example, the elasticmoduli of the prepregs A, B, C and D are selected to be 5000 kg/mm²,10000 kg/mm², 20000 kg/mm², and 40000 kg/mm² in this order. When itcomes to the elastic moduli (kg/mm²) of fibers such as a carbon fiber,an alumina fiber, an aramide fiber, Techmiron (a brand name), a glassfiber, a steel fiber, a polyester fiber, and a nylon fiber, generally,they can be shown in the following order: that is, 70000-15000(5000-90000), 25000 (10000-46000), 13400 (6900-16300), 9000-10000(6000-10000), 7400 (6400-8730), 19400, 1100, and 500. In this manner,the elastic moduli of the fibers vary in a wide range (the elasticmoduli shown in the parentheses point out the wider ranges thereof,respectively). By selecting these elastic moduli, almost desired valuescan be obtained.

Especially, since the carbon fiber exists in the range of approx.90000-5000 or less, the prepregs can be formed of only the carbon fiber.The above-mentioned structure including different elastic moduli canalso be combined with other embodiments to be described later. However,the term “geometric series manner” used in the invention does not meanthat the elastic moduli must be set in the geometric series in a strictsense, but means that a considerable difference is allowed.

Among the carbon fibers, those which have an elastic modulus of 7000 orless and thus are low in elasticity are flexible to a considerableextent, and, because the breakage, elongation thereof is as much as 2%,they are difficult to break. Therefore, such carbon fibers can beconveniently used as a rod top portion or the front portion of a rod topportion. Especially, if they are used as reinforcing fibers extending inthe axial direction, then the flexural rigidity of the rod top portioncan be reduced. In actual use, there is used a prepreg which contains50% or more by volume of such low elastic carbon fibers. The low elasticcarbon fibers can also be used as reinforcing fibers in the followingembodiments to be described later.

The thus formed top rod 12, including even its front portion, has aninside diameter of such a given size to allow a fishline to be freelyinserted therethrough, and the more forwardly it is situated in the rodtop portion, the more easily the area can be flexed. This makes itpossible to provide an intra-line fishing rod which has a delicateflexural property. Referring to a relation between the lengths of thefront portion a, middle front portion b, middle portion c and baseportion d, it is preferable that a<b<c<d. This is because the tip actionof the rod top portion is easy to play. Also, a relation in thicknessbetween them is preferably a≦b<c<d. This is because a greater flexuralforce is applied as it approaches the base portion.

In the present embodiment, a guide ring G1 formed of ceramics and heldby a hold member SG is provided in the rear end of the top rod 12. Inthis respect, as described before, since the flexural property of thetop rod 12 is properly adjusted by use of materials having differentelastic moduli, the inside diameter of the top rod 12 can be set ratherlarge, which makes it easy to provide a guide ring of ceramics. In theconnecting boundary portions between the respective adjacent portions a,b, c, and d as well, there are provided guide rings G2 and G3respectively formed of ceramics, which not only reinforce the connectingboundary portions but also reduce the insertion resistance of thefishline. In the connecting boundary portion between the top guide 14and top rod 12 as well, there is provided a similar guide ring G4 and,in the leading end of the top guide 14, there is also provided a guidering G5 formed of ceramics.

Now, FIG. 4 shows a top rod 12′ which is another embodiment of the toprod 12 shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, area portions a′, b′, c′ andd′ provide a connection structure of a reversed ordinary joint typewhich is obtained by adhesion or by welding or melting. The reversedorder joint type means a joint structure wherein the rearwardly locatedrod pipe is inserted into the inside of the forwardly located rod pipe.Of course, this is not limitative but, as in an ordinary jointstructure, the respective area portions may be jointed either removablyor fixedly in an ordinary manner or in a swing-out manner, or theordinary joint structure may be fixed by adhesion. Further, they may bethreadedly connected together so that they can be freely connected andremoved. However, the connection structure according to the presentembodiment is preferable because a large interior can be provided.Further, in the respective connection boundary end portions, similarlyto the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, there are provided guide rings G2′,G3′ and the like. In this structure, the guide rings can be providedwhen the respective area portions a′, b′, c′ and d′ are connectedtogether, that is, the guide rings can be provided easily. The frontportion a′ may be a pipe which is formed of synthetic resin. Inaddition, the length of each area portion, the number of the areaportions to be combined, the degree of taper of each area portion or thelike can be selected freely according, to the purpose of the fishingrod. The other characteristics of the present connection structure aresimilar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

Although in FIG. 2 there is used a prepreg which is composed of fibershaving different elastic moduli, the invention is not limited to thisbut, for example, the prepreg may be formed of a single kind of fibers.That is, there can be provided an intra-line fishing rod using syntheticresin as a matrix and reinforced not only with reinforcing fibersextending substantially in the axial direction of the fishing rod withinthe range of angles of ±30° with respect to the axial direction thereofbut also with reinforcing fibers extending substantially in theperipheral direction of the fishing rod within the range of angles of±45° with respect to the circumferential direction thereof, in which theinside diameter of a rod top portion thereof is formed in asubstantially straight shape having an inclination of {fraction(3/1000)} or less or in a gently tapered shape having an inclination ofthe order of {fraction (6/1000)}, and also in which the ratio of thereinforcing fibers extending substantially in the peripheral directionis set for 50% or more in the front portion of the rod top portion whilethe ratio thereof is set for 20% or less in the rear portion of the rodtop portion, and the quantity (50% or less) of the reinforcing fibersextending substantially in the axial direction in the front portion ofthe rod top portion is set smaller than the quantity (80% or more) ofthe same reinforcing fibers in the rear portion of the rod top portion,so that the rod top portion becomes easier to flex toward the frontportion thereof. That is, the present fishing rod with an insertedfishline provides a similar flexure property to a fishing rod with aninserted fishline which has a tapered delicate rod top portion. Also,since the inside diameter of the rod top portion is formed substantiallystraight, the inside diameter of the front portion of the rod topportion can be formed large and thus there can be provided a hollowportion through which a fishline can freely pass, whereby there can beprovided a fishline insertion structure in which the insertionresistance of the fishline is reduced.

According to the invention, including the above embodiments, if, as thereinforcing fibers extending in the peripheral direction, there are usedreinforcing fibers which are higher in elasticity than the reinforcingfibers extending in the axial direction, then the resultant flexuralrigidity of the rod top portion is low, the flexure of the rod topportions is delicate while the rod top portion is highly strong againstcrushing, the rod top portion can be made thin in thickness and large indiameter, and the rod top portion can be reduced in weight.

Now, FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a top rod including a rod topportion according to the invention, In this embodiment, there isprovided an intra-line fishing rod using synthetic resin as a matrix,reinforced with reinforcing fibers and including a main body layer 12Hhaving reinforcing fibers extending substantially in the axial directionthereof, in which the front portion of the main body layer 12H of thetop rod thereof is formed thin while the rear portion of the main bodylayer 12H is formed thick, a resin layer 12I including a thick frontportion and a thin rear portion is formed integrally with the inside ofthe top rod main body layer 12H, and the inside diameter of a rod topportion consisting of a substantially front half section of FIG. 5 isformed in a substantially straight shape having an inclination of{fraction (3/1000)} or less or in a gently tapered shape having aninclination up to the order of {fraction (6/1000)}. Thus, thecombination of the main body layer 12H and resin layer 12I makes the rodtop portion in which the amount of the reinforcing fibers extendingsubstantially in said axial direction in the front portion of the rodtop portion is set smaller while the amount of said reinforcing fibersin the rear portion of the rod top portion is set greater, the ratio ofthe synthetic resin relative to the reinforcing fibers in the frontportion of the rod top portion is set greater while the ratio of thesynthetic resin relative to the reinforcing fibers in the rear portionof the rod top portion is set smaller. Owing to this arrangement, therecan be provided a fishline insertion structure in which the insidediameter of the front portion of the rod top portion can be formed largeand there can be obtained a hollow portion through which the fishlinecan pass freely, thereby being able to reduce the insertion resistanceof the fishline. In this structure, the flexural property of the rod topportion becomes higher toward the front portion of the rod top portion,the rod top portion can provide a similar delicate flexural property tothe tapered rod top portion, and the crushing strength as a tube of thethin portion of the main body layer 12H is reinforced with the resinlayer 12I. As the synthetic resin of the resin layer 12I, preferably,there may be used resin which allows the fishline to slide smoothlythereon, such as silicone, fluorine or the like. Also, instead of theresin layer 12I, there can be formed and used a reinforcing layer whichconsists mainly of reinforcing fibers extending substantially in thecircumferential direction of the main body layer 12H.

Next, FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a rod top portion according tothe invention. In this embodiment, a rod top portion main body layer12H′ uses synthetic resin as a matrix and is reinforced with reinforcingfibers extending at least substantially in the axial direction thereof.The rear portion of the rod top portion main body layer 12H′ has atubular shape, whereas the main body layer 12H′ includes an inclined cutportion 12C which, as shown in FIG. 6, is cut more deeply toward thefront portion thereof. And, a cylindrical member 12I′ consisting mainlyof synthetic resin is fixed integrally to the inner periphery of the rodtop portion main body layer 12H′ by adhesion or the like in such amanner that it can cover the cut portion 12C. The inner surface of thecylindrical member and the inner surface of the rear portion of the toprod portion main body layer are formed in such a manner that there is nolevel difference between them. And, the rod top portion main body layer,including the rear portion to the front portion thereof, is formed in asubstantially straight shape having an inclination of {fraction(3/1000)} or less or in a gently tapered shape having an inclination upto the order of {fraction (6/1000)}. Therefore, there can be provided afishline insertion structure which includes a hollow portion allowingthe fishline to be inserted freely therethrough and also which canreduce the insertion resistance of the fishline. Also, since the mainbody layer of the present rod top portion becomes smaller in quantitytoward the front portion thereof, the present rod top portion can flexwell and can provide a similar delicate flexural property to the taperedrod top portion.

Although the cylindrical member 12I′ consists mainly of synthetic resin,it may be reinforced with short fibers such as “Whisker” (a brand name)or with particles, or it may include an inner surface which is improvedin the fishline slidability. Further, it may be a cylindrical body whichis formed of restitutive rubber or elastomer resin, or synthetic resintape may be wound several times around the cylindrical member 12I′.

In the above-mentioned respective embodiments, for the most part, thesynthetic resin as a matrix is used with a ratio of 40% or less byvolume. However, alternatively, after the front portion of the rod topportion may be set for 60% or more and the rear portion thereof may beset for about 25%, their relative ratios may be changed gradually. Inthis case, the fibers extending substantially in the axial directionbecome smaller in quantity toward the front portion of the rod topportion and, for this reason, even when the rod top portion uses asingle kind of reinforcing fibers and synthetic resin, the rod topportion can provide a flexural property almost similar to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Now, FIG. 7 shows a partially enlarged view of a rod top portionaccording to the invention, in which reinforcing fibers S1 and S2respectively inclined by an angle of θ with respect to the axialdirection J of the rod top portion are arranged substantiallysymmetrically so that they cross each other. In the present embodiment,the angle θ is 15° and, in particular, the angle θ may be set in therange of 5° to 25°. Also, although there are not arranged reinforcingfibers extending in the axial direction or reinforcing fibers extendingin the circumferential direction, they may be arranged in smallquantity. It is preferable to use low elastic reinforcing fibers havingan elastic modulus of 20000 kg/mm² or less.

In the rod top portion having the above structure, the flexural rigiditythereof can be reduced, the inside diameter thereof can be made large,and the insertion resistance of the fishline can be reduced whilekeeping the delicate flexural tone thereof. Also, since the reinforcingfibers are arranged obliquely, they have some components whichcontribute to the circumferential direction, thereby being able toprevent the rod top portion against crushing rupture. Further, they havesome components to contribute to the longitudinal direction, therebybeing able to prevent the rod top portion against plastic deformation.

Now, a rod top portion according to the invention is structured suchthat not only the reinforcing fibers S1 and 52 crossing each other andshown in FIG. 7 are arranged but also reinforcing fibers such as carbonfibers or the like are arranged in the axial direction J. In this case,the angle θ is 5° or greater, preferably, the angle θ may be set 15° orgreater. This is because the rod top portion can be made easy to flex,in order to prevent the plastic deformation of the rod top portion.Also, the axially extending fibers are used in smaller quantity than thecrossing fibers, or reinforcing fibers having a lower elastic modulusare used as the axially extending fibers, thereby making delicate theflexure of the rod top portion. The elastic modulus of the axiallyextending,,fibers should be 24000 kg/mm² at most, so that the flexuralrigidity of the rod top portion can be reduced.

Since the reinforcing fibers are arranged in a three dimensional manneras described above, the rod top portion is strong against crushing ortwisting. Similarly to be above embodiments, the flexural rigidity ofthe rod top portion is low, the inside diameter of the rod top portioncan be made large, and the insertion resistance of the fishline can bereduced.

The rod top portion must have a low flexural rigidity and must be strongagainst crushing. This can be attained by a laminated structure in whichthe reinforcing fibers arranged in the axial direction are combined withwoven cloth. In this structure, the existence of the peripherallyextending fibers of the woven cloth increases the crushing strength.And, since all of the reinforcing fibers do not contribute to theflexural rigidity, the flexural rigidity obtained is small for thequantity of the reinforcing fibers used and thus the inside diameter ofthe rod top portion can be formed large. On the other hand, the rod topportion can be formed thick for the flexural rigidity, so that, even ifthe rod top portion flexes greatly, it is difficult to be crushed orbroken.

Preferably, the woven cloth may have a low fiber ratio in which a ratioof synthetic resin is 50% or more and the arranging fibers may have ahigh fiber ratio in which a ratio of synthetic resin is 45% or less.Also, if the quantity of the woven cloth is larger than the quantity ofthe arranging fibers, then the rod top portion can be formed large tothereby enhance the crushing strength thereof without increasing theflexural rigidity thereof (that is, not only the rod top portion canprovide a delicate flexural property but also the inside diameter of therod top portion can be increased).

For example, glass fibers are used for the woven cloth to thereby reducethe elastic modulus of the rod top portion, and carbon fibers (having anelastic modulus of 24000 kg/mm² or less) are used for the arrangingfibers, while their respective synthetic resin ratios are set for 35% ormore and the ratio of the synthetic resin in the woven cloth is setgreater than the ratio of the synthetic resin in the arranging fibers.Also, the thickness of the laminated layer of the woven cloth is set for0.06 mm, while the thickness of the laminated layer of the arrangingfibers is set for 0.03 mm.

Also, instead of the arranging fibers, there can also be usedreinforcing fibers arranged crossingly at the angle θ, which has beendescribed with reference to FIG. 7, of 25° (the angle in the range of15°-45°), that is, such reinforcing fibers may be used in combinationwith woven cloth including fibers which extend in the axial direction ofthe rod top portion).

Now, in a rod top portion according to the invention reinforcing fibershaving a low elongation (a high elasticity) are disposed in the insidethereof and reinforcing fibers having a high elongation (a lowelasticity). Due to this, not only the rod top portion can be formedsuch that it is easy to flex and the inside diameter thereof can beformed large, but also, when it is flexed greatly, the rod top portioncan be prevented from being deformed plastically.

Next, referring to a rod top portion according to the invention as shownin FIG. 8, the rod top portion includes a spirally shaped member 32formed of fiber reinforced resin, fiber reinforced metal, metal,ceramics, synthetic resin or the like to thereby reduce the insertionresistance of the fishline, that is, the fishline can be insertedthrough the spirally shaped member 32. On the outside of the spirallyshaped member 32, there is placed a cylindrical member 12A which isformed of material lower in elasticity than the spirally shaped member32. That is, the cylindrical member 12A is structured not only in ordernot to impede the flexure of the spirally shaped member 32 but also inorder to prevent the fishline from being twined around the outside ofthe spirally shaped member 32. Due to this, the inside diameter of therod top portion can be formed large while keeping the delicate flexuralproperty thereof, and the fishline insertion resistance can be reduced.Further, the cylindrical member 12A is difficult to be crushed becauseof the existence of the spirally shaped member 32.

The cylindrical member 12A is connected to a rear rod tube 12C through aconnecting portion 12B which holds the rear end of the spirally shapedmember 32, while the front portion of the cylindrical member 12A isconnected to a top guide 14 through a connecting portion 12B′ holdingthe front end of the spirally shaped member 32.

In FIG. 9, a spirally shaped member 32′ is composed of a plurality ofguide rings R formed of ceramics or the like, and a longitudinal memberLB formed of a wire or the like for connecting together the guide ringsR. And, the remaining portions of the spirally shaped member 32′ aresimilar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a rod top portion T according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. The rod top portion T made up of three layers, i.e.an outer layer 50, an inner layer 54 and an intermediate layer 52radially interposed between the outer and inner layers 50, 54. Each ofthe inner and outer layers 50 and 54 is formed by a braided bag which isobtained by braiding or weaving a plurality of fibrous threads or tapesas warp and weft into a hollow configuration. The braided bag in thehollow configuration may be preliminary obtained and then wrapped aroundthe metal core, or otherwise the fibrous threads or tapes may be braidedaround the metal core to cover the metal core. Each fibrous threads ortapes is made up of several thousands inorganic or organic fibers suchas aramid fibers, polyether imide fibers, glass fibers, low-elasticmodule carbon fibers or the like bundled by resinous material. In thepresent embodiment, twelve fibrous threads are braided tightly with sixthreads as warp and the reminder six as weft so that each of fibrousthreads is arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal directionof the rod top portion T. The fibrous threads may be braided loosely.Because of this oblique arrangement and braiding of the fibrous threads,the rod top portion T can bear against the breakage even though it isbent greatly.

In contrast, the intermediate layer 52 is made of material containing arelatively large quantity of synthetic resin (preferably, not smallerthan 50% by weight) and longitudinally extended organic or inorganicfibers such as glass fibers, low-elastic module carbon fibers or thelike. The circumferentially extended fibers may be included in thematerial for the intermediate layer 52. The purpose of the provision ofthis intermediate layer 52 having the longitudinally extended fibers isto prevent the plastic deformation of the rod top portion T when it isbent greatly.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the radial thickness of the outer,intermediate and inner layer is set at a ratio of 1:3:1, but may bevaried according to the object of the fishing rod. Further, one of theouter and inner layers 50 and 52 may be omitted as long as the desiredanti-breakage and anti-plastic deformation properties are obtained.Moreover, a prepreg layer containing circumferentially extendedreinforcing fibers may be provided on an inside or outside of theintermediate layer 52, an inside of the inner layer 54 or an outside ofthe outer layer 50.

As can be clearly understood from the foregoing description, accordingto the invention, a fishing rod having a delicate flexiblecharacteristic can be structured as an intra-line fishing rod which notonly can keep its delicate flexible characteristic but also can reduce afishline insertion resistance.

What is claimed is:
 1. An intra-line fishing rod including a rod top portion, said rod top portion extending in an axial direction and being structured such that synthetic resin is used as a matrix, reinforcing fibers are disposed such that they extend in an inclined direction with an angle of inclination of at least 5 degrees with respect to the axial direction of said rod top portion and also such that they cross each other from both right and left directions substantially symmetrical with respect to said axial direction, and a smaller amount of reinforcing fibers than the amount of said crossing reinforcing fibers are disposed so as to extend substantially in said axial direction, wherein the reinforcing fibers having a lower elastic modulus than said crossing reinforcing fibers are disposed so as to extend substantially in said axial direction. 